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at various levels (policy makers, government agencies, international funding agencies, civil societies, and forest users of all kinds). Though there is a variety of narratives from diverse actors, the authors distinguish two dominant narratives, which in turn are formed by strategic alliance or ‘discursive coalition’ of other smaller narratives: the centralised classic ‘state forestry’ narrative on the one hand; and the more radical ‘popular/civil society’ narrative on the other. Both the ‘state forest management’ and ‘PFM’ narratives use ‘participation’ as a tool to package their diverse and even radically opposing agendas and interests. In the book, PFM is assessed in terms of key processes and influences (how policy is formed and reformed?), outputs (efforts to implement PFM), outcomes (direct effects such as on forest condition and institutions), and finally impacts (resulting changes to household livelihoods, particularly of the poor). Besides analysis of ‘narratives’ from policy documents, interviews and secondary sources, the authors use a multiplicity of fresh data from thoroughly researched case studies in two regions of Nepal (the mid-hills and the plain areas, or Tarai) and three Indian states (West Bengal, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh). The data come from extensive studies of over 60 villages with over 1000 household interviews. The case studies are varied and diverse in terms of local political ecologies; the history of PFM and the legal provision on which it is based (for example, joint forest management in India does not enjoy the legal support as much as the community forestry policy in Nepal does); the extent and form of participation in forest protection, management and use; and the involvement of outside funding agencies (for example, the World Bank in Andhra Pradesh) among others. Despite this diversity the authors find some insightful similarities. Firstly, at the policy level, amidst the ‘pressure for participatory reform versus institutional inertia’, there remain similar dilemmas, ambiguities and reluctance in forest administrations of both countries, however with varying degrees. Secondly, at the field level, in almost all cases, the forest condition has generally improved. However there have been limited livelihood impacts of PFM as it is currently practiced. The authors subsequently argue with considerable justification that there is no direct and simple relationship between participation and livelihood. Under participatory management, medium and rich households have comparatively benefited whereas the poorer households have overall been affected negatively. Additionally, local level structural inequalities in India and Nepal, characteristic to agrarian political economy, have prevented politically and socially marginalised classes and groups from effectively voicing and defending their resource interests and claims in comparison to the voice of powerful elites. These field realities explain the complex challenges and difficulties the rhetoric of ‘participation’ experiences in practice at the local level. These findings in relation to PFM reform and livelihood impacts thus challenge the over-simplistic and taken-for-granted assumptions and pledges of participatory approaches and the role of forestry in poverty reduction. Consequently, the authors argue that the participatory reform narrative, though a ‘persuasive one
on rational and ideological grounds’, suffers from ‘a degree of vagueness and inconsistency’ (p. 367). Due to the vagueness of the term and its unrealised promises, ‘participation’ in reality might just be considered as a ‘wolf in sheep's clothing’. The authors make their point persuasively with supporting evidence but as the final chapters approach, some readers might find it disappointing that the book does not come up with a ‘what-is-tobe-done’ list of recommendations to ‘salvage participation’ on the ground. Rather, as the authors argue, the book attempts to provide an in-depth understanding of ‘the process of policy-making and the underlying discourses and practices’ (p. 382). Since ‘understanding and reform of policy are mutually reinforcing’, the authors believe that more understanding of issues of PFM reform would lead to ‘reflection and change’ and thus provide suitable solutions (p. 382). The book is easy to follow: this is specifically so for this ‘insider’ reviewer with previous knowledge and experience of South Asia. Yet the book can equally be accessible to all kinds of readers. For those new to South Asian history, the book provides timeline of important events in forest development in India and Nepal and has a glossary of Indian and Nepalese terms for foreign readers. The book also contains some original diagrams, tables and boxes that make illustrations clear. Besides empirical studies, the authors also critically discuss theoretical debates around participation, political ecology, community-based natural resources management and indigenous knowledge. Hence this book is equally useful for those interested in the debates on theory of resource governance issues. The book is based on the outcome of DFID-funded projects in Nepal and India. However the research and analysis is relevant for elsewhere. Undoubtedly, this book is an important and timely asset to the theory and practice of participatory forest management. Poshendra Satyal Pravat Faculty of Social Sciences, The Open University, UK E-mail address:
[email protected].
doi:10.1016/j.forpol.2007.08.003
Jerry Vanclay, Ravi Prabhu, Fergus Sinclair, Realizing community futures: A practical guide to harnessing natural resources, Earthscan, London (2006), 162 pages With so many books available on sustainable development theory and practice, many with differing notions of the concept and strategies by which it can be achieved, this book is an excellent attempt to provide practical guidelines for ‘sustainable resource use’. The book sets out to provide some useful tools to the communities and practitioners involved in natural resources management to realize their dream and vision of a sustainable
Book reviews
future. For this, the book first suggests a shared vision and then, with the help of participatory modelling and computer simulations, generates alternatives and options from which a concrete plan of actions or ‘roadmap’ can be chosen for the journey into the future. It is around this approach that the chapters of the book are structured. The seven chapters provide step-by-step guidelines for realising the needs of communities: first recognize the potential (chapter one), then agree on a common problem among diverse interests (chapter two), share the visions (chapter three), make them explicit (chapter four), substantiate the visions, in other words calibrate assumptions (chapter five), explore options, implications and scenarios (chapter six), and, finally, implement what has been learnt (chapter seven). Thus, the premise on which the book is set is quite simple and the chapters are linearly ordered. From the beginning, the authors have an optimistic assumption that if people share their visions, and cooperate and collaborate to find suitable actions, the realization of community futures is possible and feasible. The challenge of how to translate shared visions into concrete actions is dealt with by arguing that first visions should be made explicit, then modelled and substantiated with the help of computer simulations. Different scenarios should be explored based on these visions to finding various options and strategies. The book argues that structured learning through participatory modelling is the key to helping communities realize their vision. Besides, collaboration, the authors see learning as a cornerstone to empower communities with the necessary skills and capacity to adapt aptly and successfully. While encouraging structured learning through participatory modelling, the knowledge and experience of local people should be respected given what they know about the environment in which they live. Hence the role of outsider ‘experts’ is essentially one of co-learners or facilitators who help communities structure and consolidate their visions. Drawing from the concept of system dynamics as developed by Jay Forrester of MIT in the 1950s, the authors use modelling tools and designs (such as Simile) to understand complex systems of natural resource management in order to make their modelling accessible and easily understood. The authors argue that the formal model diagrams of computer simulations provide additional useful insights to add to those that the unstructured model diagrams generated by participatory facilitation. With computerassisted modelling, it is possible to generate a wide range of scenarios, the benefits of which can be compared and from which the most suitable options chosen. A computer simulation can identify and describe various components of the model and quantify their interrelationships. The behaviour of the model thus produced can be tested and necessary refinement and adaptation can be made accordingly. However, as the authors acknowledge, no such model is a blueprint in itself as computer modelling and forecasting can sometimes be erroneous. No model should be considered a panacea: it is the insights and visions from community participation that count, not the models. The book contains several boxed case studies from various locations around the world. However the central arguments and
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modelling examples are from three main case studies: the story of the river-maker, Rajendra Singh, from the dry arid zones of Rajasthan, India who was motivated by an old man from the village of Gopalpur to make johads (water harvesting ponds); the case of broom-makers, especially Mrs. Siwela from Batanai village in Central Zimbabwe, who could now make better brooms while conserving the resource base; and the story of improved and equitable management of forests and other natural resources in Mafungautsi area of Zimbabwe. The authors successfully and convincingly apply modelling techniques in these examples, in the process generating some practical and user-friendly guidelines that could be applied in different contexts around the world after appropriate adjustments and adaptations. However, whether or not similar approaches and participatory modelling techniques can be useful in other multiple and complex nature resources contexts could only be answered with future empirical work involving natural resource managers and communities. This book undoubtedly offers a strong base from which further works can be carried out and additional insights gained. The book claims to encourage people to share their visions and take appropriate actions to realize them. The authors regard complex systems of natural resources management as multidimensional and dynamic, hence they are optimistic that diverse stakeholders can reach a shared interest and understanding of a common problem and a vision of a shared future. However, in real life situations where most natural resources management contexts are characterized by complexities and conflicts of interests, achieving a shared vision in the first place can be daunting and challenging. If the vested interests and hidden agendas of a diversity of stakeholders prevent people agreeing a shared vision, which is the starting point of the model, then the whole rationale of modelling for realizing community futures is called into question. Another question is that of compatibility. This reviewer, who has worked on community forest management and who is novice to computer modelling, was not quite sure whether the ‘marriage’ of simple ‘not so academic’ participatory tools is compatible with the more complicated, scientific expertise of a computer modelling exercise. There is no convincing reason to expect a simple compatible relationship between the non-technical and technical aspect of participatory modelling in all places and at all times. Overall the book, which is based on the outcome of DfIDfunded projects in Asia and Africa, will be useful to anyone interested in participatory modelling, adaptive collaborative management and action research. The ideas and experiences gained can be used in many cases of community natural resource management. The book will be valuable to nonacademics, communities and practitioners involved in natural resources management. It is easy to follow and accessible to all kinds of readers yet well informed and fully referenced. The authors illustrate their arguments with a multiplicity of case studies, frequent use of day-to-day simple stories, popular quotes and extracts of poems. As the chapters unfold, some
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modelling novices might find the technicality of computer simulations complicated and difficult to grasp. Nonetheless, with the list of useful references, links to internet resources, examples and further information on modelling software along with an accompanying book website (www.cifor.cgiar.org/ RealizingFuturess), practitioners interested in community participation will find this study a useful resource.
Poshendra Satyal Pravat The Open University, United Kingdom E-mail address:
[email protected]. 4 September 2007 doi:10.1016/j.forpol.2007.09.001
